idolater

IPA/aɪˈdɒl.ə.tər/
IPA/aɪˈdɑː.lə.t̬ɚ/

idolater — noun

  • idolatersingular
  • idolatersplural

1. a person who worships a statue, picture, or other physical object as a god or sp

1.nounB2
Definition

a person who worships a statue, picture, or other physical object as a god or spirit, usually as part of a religious tradition

Example

The ancient temple walls show paintings of idolaters bowing before stone statues.

idolater + bowing before [religious object]

In historical records, idolaters were often described as people who prayed to carved figures.

Common collocations
  • ancient idolaters
  • idolater of [god/goddess]
  • accused of being an idolater
Synonyms
  • worshipper

    a broader term; an idolater is a specific type of worshipper focused on physical objects or images

  • pagan

    a wider label for non-mainstream religious practices; not all pagans are idolaters

Antonyms
  • iconoclast

    someone who attacks or rejects religious images and idols

Usage Note

Often appears in historical or anthropological writing about pre-modern religions. The word can carry a negative judgment depending on the speaker's own religious viewpoint.

Common Mistakes

The idolater prayed to God in the church.
The idolater prayed to the golden statue at the shrine.
idolaters worship physical objects or images, not a formless deity in a mainstream tradition.

2. a person who has an extremely strong, often unreasonable admiration for someone

2.nounC1
Definition

a person who has an extremely strong, often unreasonable admiration for someone or something, treating that person or idea as if it were perfect

Example

Ibrahim is such an idolater of that politician that he defends every decision she makes.

idolater of [person] — defends every decision

Keiko's friends called her an idolater because she owned every album and poster of the singer.

Common collocations
  • idolater of [person/idea]
  • blind idolater
  • behave like an idolater
Synonyms
  • devotee

    less intense; a devotee is strongly interested but not necessarily blind to flaws

  • fanatic

    similar intensity but can apply to any cause or belief, not just admiration of a person

Antonyms
  • critic

    someone who judges and finds faults, the opposite of blind admiration

Usage Note

Used figuratively to criticize someone's excessive admiration. The speaker or writer usually disapproves of the amount of admiration being shown.

Common Mistakes

She is an idolater of classical music.' (too mild for the word's intensity)
She is an idolater of that conductor, flying to every city where he performs.
idolater implies extreme, often unreasonable devotion, not just appreciation.

Word family

  • idolatry
    nounC1
  • idolatrous
    adjectiveC2
  • idolize
    verbB2
  • idol
    nounB1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

All four words describe someone with strong positive feelings toward a person or idea, but they differ in intensity and connotation. A devotee is simply a very loyal and enthusiastic follower — the least extreme of the group. A fanatic goes further, showing extreme, often aggressive zeal that can apply to a cause, belief, or hobby (a religious fanatic, a fitness fanatic). An idolater (this sense) crosses into unreasonable territory: the admiration becomes so intense that the person is treated as perfect, and flaws are ignored. A groupie is informal and narrow — someone who follows a band or celebrity around to get close to them. An admirer is the mildest and most general — anyone who likes or respects someone. For example: 'Lina is a devoted fan of the author, but not an idolater — she still criticises the weak plot of his latest novel.'

devotee ↗fanatic ↗groupie ↗admirer ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • be an idolater of
  • accuse someone of being an idolater

Prepositions

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

Idolater comes from Latin idololatres, which was borrowed from Greek eidōlolatrēs, a compound of eidōlon ('image, idol') and latreia ('worship, service'). The word entered English through French idolâtre in the 1300s, originally used only in religious contexts. By the 1800s it had gained the figu-rative meaning of someone who admires excessively.